The Cebu Provincial School Board (CPSB) has approved an PHP85-million supplemental budget for the construction of temporary learning shelters (TLS) in schools that sustained damage from the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the province on Sept. 30.

During the meeting, the Department of Education (DepEd) – Cebu province presented its validated report of 570 classrooms completely damaged, 1,101 classrooms with major damage, and 1,723 classrooms with minor damage, according to a news release on Saturday.

Based on these assessments, 269 TLS are needed to accommodate displaced students while the DepEd undertakes major repairs and reconstruction of affected school buildings.

Provincial Treasurer Roy Salubre reported that the CPSB, chaired by Governor Pamela Baricuatro, still has PHP1.128 billion in available funds, with an expected additional collection of PHP800 million, bringing the total available funds to a little less than PHP2 billion.

These resources will support the CPSB’s continuing efforts to assist DepEd-Cebu in ensuring that learning continues despite the disaster’s impact.

Under Section 235 of Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, provinces may levy and collect an annual tax of one percent on the assessed value of real property.

The tax is in addition to the basic real property tax and exclusively accrues to the Special Education Fund, which finances the programs and projects of the School Board. (PNA)